My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a

cake is so pretty,

lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for

pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

must sing the ‘Happy

Rachel must close her eyes

Rachel must blow out

shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the

wasn’t even

the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to

you!” their parents

children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that,

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for

with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your

wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that

then. It’s been

she turned and headed toward

was inside her apartment and about to close the

door was propped

Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all

on business?

into the house and shut the door before surveying the

you’ve been

two steps back. Why are

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

her, forcing her back inch

had no idea what she

and pulled, she staggered after him and